The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-04-19
A SAILORS ADVENTURES.

Driven to Sea in an Open Boat, It Takes
Him Two Years to Get Back Home.
John Gibbons is q bushy-bearded
sailor who has story which would he
worthy of the imaginative power of u
Defoe or a Marryatt. The narrative
which he related to reporter is inter-
esting. Over two years ago he sailed
out of this port in the bark Thompson.
bound for Calais, Me. The day had
been lowering and gloomy, and the
wind was freshening as they left the
port. The little crew of hardy sailors
that manned the bark soon perceived
that the storm was gathering fast, but
they kept right on their course. The
storm increased and the waves broke
over nle vessel as she plOwed along
under reefed sail. When off M0ntauk
Point, Gibbons made up his mind that
he would leave the bark and try to get
To land. His companions tried TO ais
suade him, and told him it VAS sure
death to risk himself 10 tie angry
waters. But their arguments we're OF
no avail, and Gibbons decide; TO MAKE
the venture. A he was merely pSs-
senger on the vessel, he was allowed tu
have his own way. ~ life-bOat was
lowered and he set of To reach the land.
The lit;.e boat and the bark soon parted
company. The storm grew heavier
and night fell suddenly upon the waters.
shutting out the craft that bore the adj
vcnturouS sailor from the sight of the
men OH the bark.
When Gibbons found himself alone
III the boat he experienced the curious
sensations that man feels when he is
apparently shut out from the world
and had nothing but Il frail boat be-
tween him and the terrible waters.
But he rowed along pluckily.
Keeping the boat headed up well
against the wind and was making some
progress when he had the misfortune
Ia break an oar That threw him COM
pletely ON the mercy of the waves and
wind. They bufleted the little boat
about like Il cOckleshell. and it was
only the work of Il short time. in
which the boat shipped so much water
that she began to sink. Gibbons
:lumg To the boat, which finally over
turmcd. The storm was terrific. The
night WAS densely dark. aud the ship
wrecked sailor was momentarily ex-
pecting to 60 down. All through the
night he chung to the boat AMI managed
TO escape death.
When dav came again h. found that
he had drifted out and was without
hope unless he should be picked up Ivy
Il passing vessel. He had no rationS
and began To suffer tine pangs of
hunger. The minutes and hours dragged
YEARLY along, but towards night he
cSpied a sail and managed to attract the
attention of the men on the vessel,
which proved To be a bark bound for
England. Gibbons was taken aboard.
The news of his fOolhar,ly undertake
Ing soon reached his home, which is ut
Glen Cove, l.. j, and he was given up
for lost. As time wore on and no news
came from him. his wife and his rela-
tves in Glen Cove began TO believe
that he was ut the bottom OF the
ocean. Gibbons meanwhile had long
and perilous voyage, the vessel being
driven out of her cOmSe, and finally he
reached France, where he was taken
sick and lay iii for weeks with a fever
III which he was delirioUs. Thus it
happened it was nearly year before
his friends were apprised of his safety.
and that the news was q joyful sur
prise to them goes without saying. 1t
was some months longer before he was
able To get home.-Nel0 HarsH (COHH.
NeWS.